Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The invention relates to illuminated signs, and in
particular to electrical raceways for use in the construction
of sign boxes used in such illuminated signs.
Illuminated signs such as are used on storefront,
or outdoor advertising, or indoor locations such as airports,
stations and the like are usually made with a generally rigid
rectangular box, and a removable front panel. The removable
front panel incorporates a translucent panel bearing a message
or advertising printed thereon, and some form of lighting, usually
~ fluorescenttubes, are mounted within the box portion of the sign,
so as to illurninate the translucent panel.
Certain problems arise in the design and construction ~ -
of such illuminated signs. In order to provide signs of varying
length and height for different locations, the arrangement of
lighting ~ubes within the box must be such that they can be ex-
tended lengthwise and up and down in a more or less completely
flexible manner. However, such lighting tubes sometimes come only ~ -
in a standard length, so that if the length of the slgn does not
correspond to the standard length, or a multiple, of the existing
.lighting tubes, then the arrangement of satisfactory all over
illumination becomes somewhat more difficult.
In addition, signs of different heights, or bearing
different messages, may require a different intensity of
illumination thereby requiring a greater or lesser number of
lighting tubes.
In addition to the problems of providing satisfactory
illumination for such signs, it is also necessary to provide a
sign box of a completely flexible design, which will have
sufficient strength to permit it to be erected on a storefront,
where it would be exposed to severe wind stresses. In many cases,
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such sign boxes will be made with top, bottom and side
walls which are formed essentially of a common or standardized
extrusion such as is shown for example in U.S. Letters Patent
3,863,372. sy the use of such extrusions it is possible to
provide signs having a uniform appearance, over a wide range of
different dimensions.
However, as the dimensions increase, it is necessary
to incorporate some form of additional stiffening in the form of
interior ribs or braces. A variety of different braces, or
channels or beams may be incorporated in the sign for the
purpose.
In addition to such additional stiffening the
wiring and electrical fittings or receptacles in the sign must
be provided with suitable junction boxes and raceways.
When the interior of the sign box contains additional
stiffening ribs and raceways, and electrical fittings, the
space becomes unduly confined. This may create additional
problems. It has been found that the lighting tubes must be
set back from the translucent front panel by a certain distance,
both for the dissipation of heat from the tubes, and also, so
as to provide an even all-over illumination. If the tubes are
too close then a pattern of bright lines will appear across the
translucent panel.
This problem could obviously be overcome by simply
making the entire sign box somewhat deeper. However, this is
generally considered to be an undesirable feature. Custom and
taste require that the sign box should be more or less as
shallo~l as possible.
Accordingly, it may become difficult if not impossible
to incorporate stiffening ribs as well as raceways within the box,
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bearing in mind the depth limitation.
In order to overcome these various problems the invention,
in general, provides raceways for a sign box in which the raceways
have anelongated and hollow construction to provide the stiffness
or rigidity or reinforcement for the interior of the box. In
addition, such raceways are provided with multi-purpose electrical
connection and mounting facilities so that the lighting tubes,
and the lighting fixtures carrying the tubes, may be arranged
in a staggered or offset fashion so as to provide for the
arrangement of lighting tubes in a more or less continuous end
to end manner, and also permitting the spacing of the lighting
tubes in the vertical direction in a flexible and versatile manner
so as to provide even all-over illumination of the panel to the
desired lighting intensity.
Broadly, the present invention provides a channel
raceway for incorporation in a sign box to provide structural
reinforcement to such a sign box when incorporated therein
so as to extend between spaced apart walls thereof, for the
mounting of receptacles for elongated electrical lighting
tubes in a plurality of different positions and for housing
electrical conductors connected to such receptacles for the
supply of electxicity thereto and which channel raceway comprises
an elongated channel struct~ure adapted to be disposed within
such a sign box between such spaced apart walls thereof with
such electrical conductors disposed therewithin. The channel is
closed in by a cover having a front wall formed with a series of
electrical receptacle opening zones adapted selectively to have
electrical lighting fixture receptacles secured therein.
Preferably, the cover or front wall of such a raceway is
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formed with two mutually parallel said series of electrical
receptacle opening zones, the zones of a first said series
being adapted to have left-handed receptacles mounted therein
and the zones of a second said series being adapted to have
right-handed receptacles mounted therein. The opening zones
of such two series can then have lighting fixture receptacles
mounted therein so that elongated lighting tubes fitted in
such receptacles mounted in said zones of said first said
series extend across said zones of said second said series,
the vice-versa. In this way, the raceway also permits the
installation of lighting tubes in sign boxes of non standard
lengths. ~
A channel raceway in accordance with this invention
comprises a channel having a base web with mutually spaced
aprat side walls projecting forwardly therefrom and a front
cover releasably secured on said channel and comprising said
front wall and side edge flanges adapted releasably to engage
said side walls of said channel.
To ensure adequate reinforcement of the sign box,
each such side wall of the channel of the raceway is preferably
formed with a least one longitudinally extending reinforcing
rib which is usefully positioned so that it will releasably engage
a reinforcing rib provided in a respective one of the side edge
flanges of the cover so as releasably to retain that cover in
position on the channel.
While the opening zones provided in the cover or front
wall of a raceway in accordance with this invention can have
any desired configuration, it is preferred at this time that each
such opening be in the form of a major segment of a circle, each
such segment being defined in part by a chord, the chords of the
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Opening zones of each said series in the preferred embodiment
then preferably being co-linear.
Preferably, the chords partially defining the opening
zones of one of the series of such zones of a raceway with two such
series of zones are disposed in transverse alignment with the
chords partially defining the opening zones of the other of said
series thereof. Generally, the major segments of the opening
zones of such first and second series will be disposed on
opposite sides of and outwardly of the chords defining the first
and second series of such zones.
When used herein and in the appended claims, the
expression "opening zones" is intended to embrace not only actual
openings in the front cover of a raceway as provided by this
invention but also knock-out or releasably retained portions of
such front wall and which portions can be removed as desired,
to provide such actual openings.
A channel raceway in accordance with this
invention is usefully provided at its ends with diagonally
projecting struts adapted to be secured to the walls of a sign
box to provide greater reinforcement thereto.
The present invention additionally is applicable to
a sign box comprising a rear panel and mutually spaced apart walls
and which sign box has at least two electrical raceways as previously
defined secured therewithin and extending between the walls
thereof in mutually spaced apart and mutually parallel disposition.
In general, such a sign box will normally be provided
with at least three electrical raceways of the preferred construction
as previously defined, two end ones of such raceways being secured
within the sign box generally at opposite ends thereof and an
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intermediate one of such raceways being secured within the sign
box between such ends thereof. Lighting fixture receptacles
are then fitted in the opening zones of the raceways so that
elongated lighting tubes such as fluorescent tubes can be
installed in such receptacles so that each tube extends from
one of said end raceways to the intermediate raceway completely
across one of said series of opening zones in the intermediate
raceway.
When a sign box is provided in accordance with
this invention with two intermediate electrical raceways of the
aforementioned preferred construction involving the provision
in each such intermediate raceway of two series of opening zones,
the receptacles may be mounted on such raceways so that lighting
tubes extend from one end raceway to one of the intermediate
raceways completely across the other of the intermediate race-
ways. ~ ~ :
The various features of novelty which characterize
the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to
the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there
are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the inven-
tion.
IN THE DR~WINGS:
Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of an
illuminated sign according to the
invention partially cut away to reveal
the interior;
Figure 2 is a side elevation of one embodiment
of a raceway according to the invention;
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Figure 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the
raceway of figure 2, and,
Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of
figure 2.
Referring now to Figure 1, the sign box according to
the invention is shown generally at 10, and has a top wall 12, a
bottom wall 14,a left-hand end wall 16 and a right-hand end wall
18.
A translucent front panel 20, usually of plastic or
the like and carrying a message or advertising sign is mounted
in a frame 22. The frame 22 is usually hingedly attached to the
top wall 12 of the sign 10.
The sign 10 also incorporates a relatively thin
sheet metal back wall 24.
All of these features are well known, and are disclosed
in for example U. S. Letters Patent 3,863,372.
Within the interior of the sign 10 there are provided,
for example,four lighting tubes T. They are of course any of a
variety of standard lighting tubes, which come in different, but
standardized lengths.
Such lighting tubes T are mounted in standardized
lighting fixtures or receptacles F all of which are well known
in the lighting art.
In accordance with the invention, three vertically
arranged electrical raceways 30 a, b and c are provided, in
spaced apart relation along the length of the sign 10~ While
three such raceways are shown, it will be appreciated that in the
case of a shorter sign 10 it may only be necessary to have
raceways at either end, where for example the sign corresponds
to the sta~dardized length of a lighting tube.
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However in the majority of cases where the sign is
longer than the standardized length of such lighting tubes,
then a minimum of three such raceways must be provided. In
the case of very long signs, then it may be necessary to provide
even more such raceways 30.
The raceways 30a and 30c at the ends 16 and 18
are designated as end raceways, and the raceway 30b generally
at the centre of the sign 10 is designated as an intermediate
xaceway.
The end raceway 30c at the right-hand end 18 of
the sign 10 is of course hidden from view by the front panel 20,
and is simply shown in phantom for sake of completeness.
Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, each of the
raceways 30 will be seen to comprise a channel portion 32 and
a top cover 34. The channel 32 has a bottom wall 36 and two
side walls 38. The side walls 38 are formed with lower ribs
40, adjacent the junction with the bottom wall 36 and upper
ribs 42 adjacent the free edges.
The top cover 34 consists of a generally flat planar
front wall 44 andside edge flanges 46 formed with ribs 48 therein.
The ribs 48 are shaped to interfit with the ribs
42 on the side walls 38 of the channel 32 thereby providing a
snap closure for the open side of the channel 32.
The wall 44 of the cover 34 is provided with
pairs of right-handed and left-handed electrical receptacle
openings 50 and 52 respectively. The openings 50 permit
electrical receptacles F to be mounted therein facing towards
the right-hand end 18 of the box 10, and the openings 52 permit
electrical receptacles F to be mounted therein facing the left hand
end 16 of the sign box 10. It will of course be appreciated
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that the openings 50 and 52 are in fact generally disc-like
portions of metal partially stamped out from the wall 44
in a manner well known in the electrical fitting art, being
retained in position by small residual tongue portions 54 of
such metal. Such disc portions can simply be knocked out by
the electrician, as desired, and as shown for the right-hand
disc in Figure 4.
It will be noted that the openings 50 and 52 are
formed with straight edges or chords 56 thereby providing a
means for locating the particular fixture F in position so
that it cannot twist around.
As best shown in Figure 2, angle struts 58 are
usefully provided at the upper and lower ends of the channel
32. The angle struts 58 make a snug fit between the side
walls 38 of the channels 32, and are fastened to those side
walls 38 for example by sheet metal screws 60 or the like.
The free ends of the struts 58 are provided with
engagement means such as the tongues 62 by means of which they
may be fastened securely, for example, by screws 64, to the
interior of the top and bottom walls 12 and 14 respectively as
shown in Figure 1. The lower end of the raceway 30b is shown in
Figure 2 as being secured to the bottom wall 14 of one particular
construction for the sign box 10 but, since the structure of the
sign box 10 itself forms no part of this invention, that
structure will not be described in further detail herein.
In use, the two end raceways 30a and 30c are mounted
at the ends 16 and 18 of the sign box 10, by fastening the flanges
62 to the top and bottom walls 12 and 14 respectively, and by any
other suitable intermediate fastening as may be required.
The intermediate raceway 30b is then fastened in
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position so as to permit the mounting of lighting tubes T
between the intermediate raceway 30b and the end raceways 30a
and 30c.
Electrical receptacles F are then fastened in
selected openings 50 and 52 respectively.
It will of course be appreciated that the electrical
receptacles F in the end raceway 30a in the left-hand end 16 will
be mounted in selected ones of the openings 50, and will face
towards the right-hand end 18.
The electrical receptacles F in the raceway 30c at
the end 18, will be mounted in the openings 52, and will face
toward the left-hand end 16. Such receptacles F at the two ends
16 and 18 will not however register vertically with one another,
at least in the configuration shown in Figure 1.
The electrical receptacles in the intermediate
raceway 30b will be arranged, so that as shown in Figure 1, :~
the receptacles mounted in the right-hand openings 52 thereof
face towards the left-hand end 16 of the sign 10, and register
with the receptacles F in the raceway 30a at the end 16.
Other receptacles will be mounted in the openings
50 of the intermediate raceway 30b to face toward the right-
hand end 18 of the box 10, and to register with the receptacles
F in the raceway 30c at the rlght-hand end 18.
The receptacles F mounted in the openings 50 and
52 of the intermediate raceway 30b will be offset with one :~
another so as to permit lighting tubes to overlap as will
readily be understood by reference to Figure 1.
In this way, it becomes possible to provide a ~
pattern of lighting tubes T which provides for continuous - -
overall lighting of the front panel 20.
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As explained above, the arrangement of Figure 1
presupposes that the sign box 10 can be spanned by two lengths
of tubes T. In practice however it may well be that a lighting
box will require three or even more lengths of tubes T in which
case, there will simply be one or more further intermediate race-
ways 30b as required.
It is also to be understood that while sets of
only two tubes T are shown between the top and bottom walls 12
and 14, it may well be that if the top and bottom walls 12 and
lQ 14 are further apart, then sets of three or more such tubes T
will be required. Similarly, if a greater lighting intensity
is required through the front panel 20, then more tubes T will
be incorporated.
Wiring may be connected between the raceways 30 in
any appropriate manner, for example, by the use of horizontal
raceways 66 on which Lhe ballasts B for the tubes T may be
mounted.
Having described what is believed to be the best mode
by which the invention may be performed, it will be seen that
the invention may be particularly defined as follows:
A channel for an electrical raceway of a type used
in a sign box to provide structural reinforcement when
incorporated therein so as to extend between spaced apart
walls thereof, for the mounting on a front cover of such an
electrical raceway of receptacles for elongated lighting tubes
in a plurality of different positions and for housing electrical
conductors connected to such receptacIes for the supply of
electricity thereto and which channel comprises a base web
with mutually spaced apart side walls projecting forwardly
from such base web, each said side wall~being provided
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generally along a front edge thereof with a longitudinally
extending reinforcing rib adapted releasably to be engaged
by a longitudinally extending rib on a corresponding side
edge flange of such a front cover for retaining such a
cover releasably in position on said channel and said channel
being provided generally at each end thereof with attachment
means for securing said channel in such a sign box.
The invention further comprises such a channel in
which each said wall thereof is formed with a second longitudinally
extending reinforcing rib-spaced rearwardly of the first such
rib provided in such side wall.
The invention further comprises such a channel in
which said second longitudinally extending reinforcing-~ib in
each said side wall is formed in proximity to said base web of
said channel.
The invention further comprises such a channel in
which each said attachment means comprises a diagonally and
forwardly projecting mounting strut secured to said channel for
attaching said channel to a respective one of the spaced apart
walls of such a sign box.
The foregoing is a description of a preferred
embodiment of the invention which i8 given here by way of
example only. The invention is not to be taken as limit,ed
to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends
all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the ` ~
appended claims. ; -
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